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Careers

If you’d like to grow your career alongside a tight-knit group of outstanding legal professionals, drop us a line at careers@hicksjohnson.com.

Laterals

Today’s lawyers face unprecedented challenges—and opportunities. At Hicks Johnson, we are prepared to meet this moment. We seek exceptional early-career and lateral associates who share our goals and ideals. In return, we offer a dynamic and supportive culture where you can build an outstanding career, as well as top-tier compensation and benefits comparable with Am Law 50 firms—including the industry’s best parental leave policy.

Our associates are a vital part of every team and assume significant responsibility at the firm. You’ll attend depositions and try cases during your first year, giving you valuable opportunities to hone your trial skills. You’ll also benefit from close collaboration with partners and senior counsel, who invest significant time and energy into nurturing younger lawyers.

Because we thrive on innovation and initiative, we provide high-level coaching and training to lawyers looking to develop new business. Senior associates, partners, and counsel are encouraged to shape their practices according to their individual strengths and goals.

Associates say

I feel like I'm learning the craft of law. I'm constantly stimulated intellectually, which means a lot to me.

Less than three months after joining, I tried my first case at Hicks Johnson. I gave the opening statement and took half of the witnesses, including key cross-examinations of the other side's sole expert and one of the plaintiffs.

The partners are very invested in getting to know you both as a lawyer and as a person.

I have lots of opportunities to go to court. Conversely, I have friends at big firms who are at my level and still pushing papers.

The firm actually tries cases, which makes for a great learning experience.

I would stack the quality and sophistication of our work up against anyone.

People here are honest, ethical, and kind. They prioritize doing good work, and they value authenticity.

We help aspiring litigators turn their intellectual curiosity into strong courtroom skills.

Hiring partner Adam Dinnell describes our ideal candidate.

Lawyers say

A growing number of the very best lawyers are looking to balance their lives. Hicks Johnson has people who could work anywhere but choose to come to us.

I like being in an environment where there are lots of new ideas—being here is energizing. This is not a place with a ‘box.’ It's designed to inspire original thought.

The firm gave me the opportunity to develop a mediation and arbitration practice when I joined.

Diversity Fellows

The firm offers a three-week summer fellowship to 1Ls who have demonstrated a commitment to diversity in the legal profession. The fellowship provides a stipend as well as lodging in Houston.

Fellows spend three weeks working closely with our legal team on substantive matters. The experience also includes robust educational and social programming, such as after-work events, visits to Houston attractions, lunch and learns with partners, and attendance of external activities (such as depositions and jury trials) alongside firm lawyers. Each fellow is assigned a senior associate “facilitator,” who regularly checks in to resolve any questions or concerns.

Our goal is to show you why a litigation boutique may be the best choice for your career growth. Because we view this fellowship as the first phase of a pipeline to long-term employment at Hicks Johnson, we typically ask fellows to return as 2L summer associates and/or first-year associates once they have successfully completed the program.

We are now accepting applications for our 2025 Diversity Fellowship Program, which runs from May 12-30, 2025. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis through January 2, 2025. Please apply by December 2, 2024, to ensure that your application receives priority consideration. View the application instructions and apply now.

Fellows say

The fellowship program is clearly thoughtfully designed, and I enjoyed spending time getting to know the partners. Their lunch and learn case study presentations allowed us to situate our assignments within the firm's overarching body of work.

I deeply appreciated the opportunity to observe a deposition and a jury trial. I picked up a lot of interesting argumentative tricks from watching the opening statements and the cross-examination of the first witness.

This program helped me learn to own my projects and craft thoughtful, polished responses to my supervising partner. Hicks Johnson provides a conducive environment for young lawyers to grow; there is a lot of autonomy, but you are also encouraged to reach out to older colleagues for guidance when needed.

I was able to gain substantive legal writing experience, which is really what I wanted from this program. I greatly appreciated the feedback from the partners, who spoke with me about my work product and ways I can improve.

I most enjoyed learning about actual cases. In law school, we spend a lot of time on appellate decisions, with the trial court determination being a footnote. This experience opened my eyes to what actually happens at the trial court level.

Law Students

Summer Associates

Applicants for our summer associate program should have a thirst for trial and litigation practice, as well as the creativity, intellectual curiosity, and motivation to hit the ground running.

Prepare to dive headfirst into “big case” civil trial practice. Because we rely on lean staffing to maximize flexibility and efficiency, summer associates are integrated into our litigation teams from day one, much like junior associates. You’ll be given substantive assignments—such as drafting motions, preparing deposition questions, and researching strategy memos—that have a real impact on the firm’s success.

Our culture is high-energy, unpretentious, and entrepreneurial. Everyone here genuinely enjoys the practice of law. We also like working together, and dislike bureaucracy and busy work. We trust summer associates to take ownership of issues and cases, committing to their own professional development.

Professionals

Paralegals and Staff

Our professional staff is an intrinsic part of the firm’s success. At Hicks Johnson, you’ll enjoy the satisfaction of producing high-quality work that reinforces our reputation for outstanding client service. And you’ll get the support you need to pursue rewarding career development opportunities.

We are currently seeking a paralegal to join our team. View the job description and application instructions.

Project Assistants

As part of our commitment to early, effective mentorship, we invite recent college graduates who are taking a “gap year” while considering law school to work with us full time for 1-2 years. In addition to providing a front-row seat to a career in trial law, our project assistant initiative helps participants with the law school application process and, ultimately, points the way to a successful legal career.

Staff say

The firm places a huge value on personal relationships. Everyone's unique gifts are appreciated.

The tone is set at the top—our partners work hard, but they really care about people. They always take time to check in on families and personal issues.

People at Hicks Johnson are honest, ethical, and kind. They prioritize doing good work, and they value authenticity.

Managing partner Andy Hicks explains our approach to training, mentorship, and professional development.

On the Right Track: From BigLaw to Boutique

On the Right Track: From BigLaw to Boutique

Partner Persis Dean joined Hicks Johnson in 2015 after six years as in-house counsel for Exxon Mobil Corporation and three at Vinson & Elkins. Now, she is poised to help lead the firm through its most rapid growth period yet. Dean discusses what it's like to be a working parent in corporate law, her approach to mentoring, and the benefits of boutique firm life.

Read Persis' story

Is a Boutique Litigation Firm Right for You?

Top law students are faced with a plethora of choices. In addition to the traditional on-campus interviews (or their Zoom equivalents) by Big Law recruiting departments, a growing number of boutique litigation firms are offering competitive packages—including top-tier salaries and benefits—to prospective summers and first-years. Hicks Johnson hiring partner Adam Dinnell talks candidly about the pros and cons of boutique firm life.

Hear more from Adam

Our Values

Collaboration

We’re strong alone, but much better together. Above all, we cherish our relationships—with colleagues, clients, friends, and family.

Creativity

The great advantage of team excellence at all levels is that we can find better solutions for our clients. As one partner said, “We always bring our A game.”

Diversity

We are committed to creating a firm culture that supports, inspires, and empowers professionals from historically excluded backgrounds.